18 Refreshing Ginger Beer Cocktails

If you like ginger ale, you're sure to love ginger beer—a carbonated drink that's been brewed and fermented similar to alcoholic beer, with a stronger, spicier ginger flavor than ginger ale. Ginger beer is probably best known for its part in the Moscow Mule, a refreshing cocktail featuring vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. However, ginger beer pairs well with a variety of flavors, so raise a copper cup to this spicy, summery mixer and try one of these new-to-you cocktails.

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Watermelon-Ginger Mojitos

Watermelon, mint, lime, and ginger come together to make this wonderfully refreshing pitcher drink. Ginger beer gives these mojitos a spicy kick and nice effervescence, but you can substitute ginger ale if you prefer something milder. The mint simple syrup can be prepared up to two days in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.

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Carrot-Ginger Beer

Carrot-Ginger Beer
RecipeThe secret to this colorful cocktail is a fresh simple syrup made from brown sugar and mint. Combine the cooled syrup with cold-pressed carrot juice, rum, and ginger beer for a sweet and spicy drink that's big on flavor.

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Moscow Mule

Photo: Ryan Moriarty; Styling: Callie Blount

Moscow Mule
RecipeThis drink is the most well-known ginger beer cocktail of them all. The "Moscow" in this drink's title is a nod to its base liquor, vodka, and some say the "Mule" refers to the kick supplied by the ginger beer.

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Orange-Ginger Fizz

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Claire Spollen

Orange-Ginger Fizz
RecipeOrange juice and bourbon pair well with ginger beer's spicy notes. A hint of honey and lemon juice balances the flavor profile for a super satisfying cocktail that's perfect any time of year.

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Jacques the Elder

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Karen Shinto

Jacques the Elder
RecipeLemon juice and herbal elderflower liqueur, such as St-Germain, blend well with the bourbon and ginger beer in this effervescent, flowery drink. Garnish with a lemon slice and piece of candied ginger.

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Shanghai Buck Cocktail

Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto

Shanghai Buck Cocktail RecipeBilly Ngo, now chef at Kru, a Japanese restaurant in Sacramento, shared this recipe inspired by his previous restaurant, Red Lotus. Skip the rum, and you've got a good virgin option.

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Ginger Shandies

Ginger Shandies RecipeTraditionally, the "shandy" is a relatively light alcoholic drink made with half beer, half lemon-lime soda. Spice it up a notch by substituting ginger beer for the lemon-lime soda for a nice twist on the classic summertime drink.

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Spicy Rum Punch

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Melanie J. Clarke

Spicy Rum Punch RecipeThis flavorful punch calls for cranberry-pineapple juice steeped with a blend of crystallized ginger, black peppercorns, star anise, and cinnamon sticks. Add the ginger beer and rum just before serving so that the punch will be fizzy.